Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Texas

There are 20 MSW programs in the state of Texas. 18 of these programs have been accredited by the Council on Social Work education (CSWE). Universities offering an MSW program can help you earn an advanced social work degree and license to expand your career and income opportunities.

Social work is a rewarding career that involves helping individuals and families on a caseload with various life struggles. As a social worker, you might provide clients with resources, help them navigate complex social service or medical systems, give advice, document client progress, collaborate with external agencies to ensure the client is getting what they need, and more. Earning a master’s degree and pursuing a specific license can allow you to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). LCSW’s are able to do all the things that other social workers do (such as providing resources, case management, etc), but are also qualified to assess, diagnose, and provide therapy to individuals who are dealing with mental health issues.

According to O*Net Online, the social work career and median annual income is as follows:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
  • Projected Growth: 14%
  • Median Annual Wages: $49,400
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
  • Projected Growth: 18%
  • Median Annual Wages: $39,470
• Healthcare Social Workers
  • Projected Growth: 19%
  • Median Annual Wages: $61,910
• Social Workers, All Other
  • Projected Growth: 14%
  • Median Annual Wages: $72,820
• Social and Community Service Managers
  • Projected Growth: 22%
  • Median Annual Wages: $71,640

The above data indicates that social workers are highly needed in Texas. Whether you are considering entering the field, or are already a bachelor’s level social worker and want to expand your career opportunities, there may be many options for you in the state. This article will go over each of the universities with a MSW program in Texas and what they offer, including:

• Angelo State University
• Baylor University
• Our Lady of the Lake University
• Prairie View A&M University
• Stephen F. Austin University
• Texas State University
• University of Houston
• University of Texas at Arlington
• University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley
• West Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M University Commerce
• Tarleton State University
• Texas A&M University Texarkana
• Texas A&M University Kingsville
• Texas Christian University
• Texas Tech University
• University of North Texas
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Texas at El Paso
• University of Texas at San Antonio

Texas Online Masters in Social Work

There are 11 universities in Texas that offer an online option for the MSW program, along with on-campus options. Online MSW programs are a great option for many students. They can provide the chance to attend classes and classwork at a time that is convenient for you (as long as you are following the required curriculum timeline). With an online program, you can also work in a comfortable, personalized environment instead of a classroom. For most of these programs, you attend online except for your internship hours and possibly a couple of visits to the campus.

Online MSW programs are particularly beneficial if you are already working as a social worker or another career and need flexible school hours. If you have to work during the day and can’t attend class in-person, online options for an MSW degree program allow you to gain the advanced degree while continuing to gain experience through work. Additionally, many MSW programs have an internship practicum requirement, and many universities allow you to use your current workplace to fulfill your hours (as long as they meet certain requirements).

Below is an overview of the MSW programs in Texas that offer an online format.

CSWE Accredited MSW Programs in Texas

There are 18 MSW programs in Texas that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Ten of these programs were listed in the last section, and eight more are listed below. The CSWE is the sole agency in the United States responsible for accrediting social work programs across the country. Accreditation is an important feature to look for when deciding what university to attend, as it requires programs to meet specific standards set by professionals in the field. The requirements ensure that the program you are attending is providing innovative information which prepares you for your licensing exam and future career. Also, employers usually prefer to hire individuals who have earned their degree from an accredited program. If you decide to move to another state, an accredited social work degree and license means that you will be more prepared to work there as well, as CSWE accreditation standards are nationwide across the US.

Below are additional universities offered in Texas that were not mentioned in the previous section.

No GRE Required MSW Programs in Texas

There are 18 MSW programs in Texas that do not require applicants to submit GRE scores to be admitted. 17 of these programs were reviewed in previous sections. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a multiple-choice exam that tests a student’s skills in topics such as math, data analysis, vocabulary, critical thinking, and problem solving. This is intended to help universities determine if a student is prepared for graduate-level studies. However, more and more universities are deciding to opt out of requiring these scores in applications. Instead, they are choosing to assess students through a method that gives a bigger picture of a student’s abilities, experience, goals, and personality. Instead, they may require items such as a professional resume, letters of recommendation, undergraduate GPA, and possibly more, which may vary by programs.

Below is an overview of a university offering a MSW program without a GRE requirement that was not noted previously.

Texas CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

University Name	City	State	Program Title	Program URL
Angelo State University	San Angelo	TX	Master of Social Work	https://www.angelo.edu/dept/social-work/
Baylor University	Waco	TX	Master of Social Work	https://www.boisestate.edu/socialwork/
Our Lady of the Lake University	San Antonio	TX	Master of Social Work	http://www.ollusa.edu/s/1190/hybrid/default-hybrid-ollu.aspx?sid=1190&gid=1&pgid=7821
Stephen F. Austin State University	Nacogdoches	TX	Master of Social Work	https://www.sfasu.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-applied-arts/social-work
Texas A&M University-Commerce	Commerce	TX	Master of Social Work	https://www.tamuc.edu/academics/colleges/educationHumanServices/departments/socialWork/default.aspx
Texas A&M University-Kingsville	Kingsville	TX	Master of Social Work	https://www.tamuk.edu/artsci/departments/clhs/scwk/index.html
Texas State University	San Marcos	TX	Master of Social Work	http://www.health.txstate.edu/sowk/
University of Houston	Houston	TX	Master of Social Work	http://www.uh.edu/socialwork
University of Texas at Arlington	Arlington	TX	Master of Social Work	https://www.uta.edu/ssw
University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley	Edinburg	TX	Master of Science in Social Work	https://www.utrgv.edu/socialwork/

Texas MSW programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options

There are 20 MSW programs in Texas that have an advanced standing option. Each of these have been reviewed in previous sections. These include:

• Angelo State University 
• Baylor University 
• Our Lady of the Lake University 
• Prairie View A&M University 
• Stephen F. Austin University 
• Texas State University 
• University of Houston 
• University of Texas at Arlington 
• University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley 
• West Texas A&M University 
• Texas A&M University Commerce 
• Tarleton State University 
• Texas A&M University Texarkana 
• Texas A&M University Kingsville 
• Texas Christian University 
• Texas Tech University 
• University of North Texas 
• University of Texas at Austin 
• University of Texas at El Paso 
• University of Texas at San Antonio

An advanced standing status in an MSW program can help a student graduate at a faster rate, often in half the time it takes for the standard program, and it is equal in quality. However, these programs often have specific requirements for students to qualify. To enroll in an advanced standing program, an applicant should have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from an institution accredited by the CSWE within the past 5-10 years (depending on individual school).

Additionally, the advanced standing program often requires students to have maintained a GPA above 3.0 in their undergraduate classes. This is in addition to the standard application requirements. The application requirements may vary slightly by university, as well as the length of the advanced standing accelerated program. Some may take as few as two semesters, while others can take two to three years if completed on a part-time basis.

Affordable MSW Programs in Texas

There are four universities offering an MSW program in Texas that are more affordable than others. When considering which institution to enroll in to complete an MSW program, cost may be a part of your decision-making process. While the price of attending each university may vary widely, there are some that are less than others. This may be for a number of factors. Some may be less expensive due to being funded partially through tax dollars. Others may have other ways of receiving funding to help cover the cost of education.

Below are universities in Texas that are more affordable:

• Stephen F. Austin University
  • Tuition: $10,600 per year plus fees and other costs
• Prairie View A&M University
  • $16,804 per year
• University of Houston
  • Tuition: $474.76 per unit/credit hour
• West Texas A&M University
  • Tuition: $1,461.96 per semester

Conclusion

Social work is a challenging, but rewarding, career option. In Texas, social workers are in high demand, with jobs in the field projected to increase 14-22% over the next ten years. This means that you may be able to easily find employment after graduation, especially if you earn your master’s degree. With 20 universities offering an MSW program in Texas, and 18 of them accredited by the CSWE, you have many options to choose from. Social work is an important career that can help the lives of many people.